Disease perspectives in pullets and layers for the Midwest and West CoastDon Dalton, retired president of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, was honored by the Poultry Science Association as the recipient of the Merial Distinguished Poultry Industry Award. The award was sponsored by Merial Select, and presented by Jerry Chapman. The presentation was made during PSA’s 2008 annual meeting July 20-23, in Niagara Falls, Canada. Don Dalton has been a leader in the poultry industry for over 40 years.
Dalton progressively served as ingredient buyer, director of purchasing, director of planning, director of poultry processing, operations manager, complex manager, vice president and general manager of the foods division, and senior vice president of planning for Valmac Industries. He also served on the board of directors and as chairman of what was then Southeastern Poultry & Egg Association, now the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.
Dalton started at USPOULTRY as vice president of government relations and trade show in 1989, and was named association president in 1992. During his term as president, Dalton oversaw the continued growth of the association’s educational programs and the International Poultry Expo.Throughout the years, Don Dalton has served the industry as a director of the Animal Agriculture Alliance and the International HACCP Alliance, as well as serving on many committees and commissions.
Don Dalton was introduced at the award ceremony by fellow retired USPOULTRY colleague, Larry Brown. “Most of Don Dalton’s working life reflects leadership and service to the poultry industry,” Brown said. “He was a leader during his career in the industry, and during his tenure at USPOULTRY. He continued and enhanced our programs serving the poultry industry.”
Dalton retired from USPOULTRY in December 2007.
